Australia Faces Rising Wildfire Risks as Urban Areas Expand

Increasing Wildfire Threats in Australia

Sydney, Jan 6: A recent report reveals that nearly 7 million Australians reside in regions on the outskirts of major cities that are highly vulnerable to severe wildfires.

This report, released on Tuesday by the Climate Council and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA), highlights the growing risk of an urban fire disaster akin to the devastating wildfires that struck Los Angeles in January 2025.

The findings indicate that the urban fringes surrounding major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra possess similar traits that contributed to the destruction seen in LA.

Since 2001, the population in the outer suburbs of these cities has surged by 65.5%, now exceeding 6.9 million residents. Alarmingly, up to 90% of homes in high-risk fire zones were constructed before the implementation of modern bushfire-resistant standards, according to reports from Xinhua.

Previous studies have shown that 10% of all fires account for 78% of fire-related deaths, predominantly occurring in areas where flammable landscapes intersect with urban environments.

Greg Mullins, founder of ELCA and former fire commissioner of New South Wales, stated that nearly every Australian city is at risk due to a 'dangerous mix' of conditions conducive to severe fires, including prolonged dry spells, strong winds, and a history of destructive blazes.

"Our analysis indicates that Australian cities are increasingly susceptible to catastrophic fires similar to those in LA," Mullins remarked.

He further noted that climate pollution is exacerbating fire weather conditions, sometimes rendering fires unmanageable by current firefighting and prevention methods.

The report emphasizes the urgent need to enhance emergency services and land management capabilities at the urban fringe, alongside efforts to reduce climate pollution.